Our commitment to supporting the UK Armed Forces community
As a veteran and serving reservist, I’m incredibly proud and grateful to work at a company that champions the military community, and supports me to uphold my commitments — even when they take me far away from home.
Today, I’m sharing that Google is now offering up to four weeks of paid reservist leave to support UK Googlers with their military duties. The news was announced yesterday as part of a ceremony to mark Google UK’s re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant, with special guest General Sir James Hockenhull, Commander UK Strategic Command, and members of the Armed Forces in attendance.
Debbie Weinstein, VP, UK & Ireland, Google and General Sir James Hockenhull, Commander UK Strategic Command after signing the Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served, alongside their families, are treated fairly — especially when it comes to public services like healthcare, education and housing. Google has been a staunch supporter of the covenant since it was first signed in 2015 and we’ve recently been recognised by The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (RES) for demonstrating and advocating for support of the defence community, achieving a silver award.
Our alignment with the Armed Forces Covenant has helped us to look after the military community both inside and outside Google. Inside Google, one of our most popular programmes is the Google Veterans Network, which provides a community for veterans, reservists, military family members and civilians to connect and share resources. Outside of Google, we are proud to offer a variety of training courses, certification programmes and qualifications that can be achieved through our Grow with Google initiative. These programmes offer practical ways of directly helping military personnel through their career transition process ensuring that core transferable skills and talent are utilised and recognised across industry.
These initiatives have provided myself, and my incredibly patient family, with the stability which has allowed me to continue to serve my country. Managers at Google, and the team I work with, have been particularly proactive and understanding whenever my military commitments take me away from home for long periods of time. This includes the time I have spent at sea on the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth for operational deployments.
This moment is a major milestone for Google and for the UK Defence community, and reflects Google’s longtime support for veterans and military families. We are proud to support those who have served our country and we are committed to working with the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces to help them excel in their future endeavours.
Google’s support of the military community is a continuation of its wider commitment to champion Googlers from all backgrounds and experiences. Through these initiatives and support networks, we’re helping to build an inclusive work environment that ensures people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive.
